Residents, community organisations and local partners in north Halifax are being invited to apply for roles in a new neighbourhood group, to help shape the future of the area and guide significant investment.
Mixenden and parts of Illingworth have been included in the Government’s new Pride in Place(external link) programme, meaning the area will receive £20 million over the next 10 years to fund local improvements chosen by people who live and work there.
Calderdale Council and local Halifax MP, Kate Dearden, are now inviting expressions of interest to join the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board — a new community-led group that will guide long-term investment and decision-making in the area.
The Neighbourhood Board will play a central role in setting priorities, making funding decisions and ensuring that local voices are at the heart of plans to improve the area. No prior board or governance experience is required, as support, training and guidance will be provided. Applications are encouraged from people of all ages and backgrounds
Alongside this, applications are also open for an Independent Chair — an experienced, impartial community leader who can bring people together, support inclusive decision-making and help the Board work effectively and confidently.
This programme is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build on the area’s strong community spirit and resident leadership, and an important chance to tackle long-standing challenges and help create an even more thriving area.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Cllr Sarah Courtney, said:
“North Halifax is a community with a strong sense of identity, and local people rightly feel proud of where they live and work.
“We have the same passion for making the area a better place for everyone and we’re committed to ensuring that the significant investment of the Pride in Place programme is used to deliver local improvements, shaped by the people who live there.
“We’re already seeing the wonderful things that can happen when everyone works together. I encourage local residents and organisations to express an interest now in becoming the chair or a neighbourhood board member, so together we can turn ambitions and priorities into action.”
Halifax MP, Kate Dearden, said:
“Pride in Place is about more than delivering improvements – it’s about giving residents a real say in shaping the future of their local area. The creation of the neighbourhood board is the next step in ensuring residents lead this decision-making from the start.
“From speaking to residents, it’s clear there is a strong sense of community spirit and real ambition for the area. I would encourage any resident interested in making a difference locally to apply for these roles and get involved, so together we can deliver real, locally led change.”
Independent Chair applications close on Sunday 1 March 2026. For more information about the role, visit https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/jobs/volunteering/volunteering-opportunities/pride-place-volunteer-independent-chair(external link)
Neighbourhood Board expressions of interest are open until Sunday 7 June 2026 . To find out more visit https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/jobs/volunteering/volunteering-opportunities/pride-place-volunteer-board-members(external link)
There’s also the opportunity to find out more about Pride in Place funding and what it means for the area at an upcoming information event on Friday 6 March. Local residents are welcome to come along to Ash Green Primary School (Upper site) for an information and feedback event from 4-6pm. This will be followed by a social event from 6-8pm at Holy Nativity Church. To find out more and to sign up to attend, visit Pride in Place | Calderdale Council(external link).
The investment in Mixenden and parts of Illingworth supports Vision 34 – a shared, long-term ambition to work towards over the next 10 years to make Calderdale a better place for everyone, based on the stories that unite us.
The Vision 34 themes are enterprising, opportunity, kind, welcoming, hope, heritage, nature and creativity. Through these themes, organisations and people from all walks of life are encouraged to share their positive stories about life in Calderdale.
Share your story on the My Calderdale Story website: https://my.walls.io/mycalderdalestory(external link)
Pride in Place builds on the work already happening in north Halifax through community organisations and investment by Calderdale Council and the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). It strengthens the community-led approach set out in North Halifax Strategy(external link) and provides major long-term funding to help deliver local priorities.